Spontaneous regression of Merkel cell carcinoma with underlying nodal spread and synchronous lymphoma case report

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine malignancy with a poor prognosis, accounting for <1% of skin cancers. We report a case of a 65-year-old woman with biopsy-proven MCC of the right cheek that underwent complete spontaneous regression of the primary tumour following diagnostic biopsy. Despite regression of the cutaneous lesion, persistent nodal disease was confirmed on imaging and fine-needle aspiration. Surgical management demonstrated metastatic MCC within a parotid lymph node, with an incidental finding of synchronous follicular lymphoma in a cervical node. This case highlights biopsy-associated spontaneous regression in MCC and underscores the risk of misleading clinical appearances.